Hare Krishna mantra...but what does it mean?

[QuietRain100]

For a westerner...who does not understand, but wishes to...what exactly does

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare

mean?

Keep it simple, both the translation and the meanining...equally a brief bio of Krishna, hitting the high points would be helpful. Again I am westerner, and need it simplified.

 

[Jainarayan]

There's no translation of it because it is invoking the names of God: Hari (Vishnu), Krishna, Rāma. Hare is the vocative (calling to) form of Hari. Linguistically it's also a play on words, because Hare is also the vocative of the name Harā, a name for Radhā who is a form of Vishnu's consort Lakshmī. So, it's not so simple linguistically. But suffice to say that it calls on God and is probably the most important mantra for Vaishnava Hindus (followers of Vishnu). The letters ā and ī are pronounced 'ah' and 'ee'.

Krishna is the 8th avatar of Vishnu, the 8th time Vishnu took human form on Earth. Krishna was born in a dungeon because his parents were put in prison by the king who was Krishna's uncle (mother's brother). This king usurped the throne from the rightful king. A prophecy said that another king would be born who would overthrow the evil king. The king could not kill his own sister, but he did imprison her and her husband for years, killing their children that were born.

When Krishna was born, he was miraculously transported to the people who would become his foster parents. In his place the Goddess Durgā took birth as a baby girl. The king, Kamsa by name, came to kill the newest child of Devakī and Vasudeva (Krishna's parents). When Kamsa was about to crush the baby girl against the dungeon floor, Goddess Durgā showed Her divine form and told the king "You fool, the one who will kill you has already been born and is safely hidden". Then She disappeared, leaving the king in great fear. So, Durgā is also known as the sister of Vishnu (Krishna) because She was born at the same time He was.

As the years passed Krishna lived with His foster parents, and grew up. He was very mischievous as a boy, especially stealing butter, but everyone loved him, because he was funny in his mischief. One day He was eating dirt, and got ratted out by one of His friends. His foster mother told Him to open His mouth and spit out the dirt. He opened His mouth, and his mother near fainted. He showed her the entire universe within Him. Another time He was driving her crazy with His antics, so she took a rope and tied it around His waist between two trees. That didn't stop Him... He simply ran, pulling the trees along with Him.

When He grew into a young man, it was time to fight and depose His uncle the evil king. The king tried to kill Krishna in the fight, but Krishna won and killed His uncle. That was no crime or sin because it was something that Krishna came to Earth for... to rid the world of evil. After that, His birth parents were released from prison and the rightful king was restored to the throne. Eventually Krishna was reunited with his birth parents and another brother, Balarama, who was born just before He was. They were inseparable. In later years Krishna established His own kingdom.

 

[ShivaFan]

Great job J!

Now, can you tell me the earliest reference or the most famous reference in scripture where the Mahamantra is mentioned? My understanding is, one uf the first references had the mantra Hare Ram first before Hare Krishna, and then it was reversed for some significance to Kali Yug?

I bet you know!

Again, a great summary you provided! Can you go further into the appearance of Durga in place of Krishna perhaps as well? I am touched by that aspect of the events.

Om Namah Sivaya

 

[Jainarayan]

Haha I did know it at one time but I can't think of it now, the Mahamantra, that is. It was originally reversed but that's all I remember.

I have to check the Bhagavata Purana for the details but it's something like this. Yashoda also gave birth but she was put into a sleep that she couldn't remember if it was a boy or a girl. It was actually Durga, but she was switched with Krishna. When Yashoda awoke she saw she had a boy. The girl was brought to Devaki. When Kamsa was told Devaki gave birth he ran to the dungeon intending to kill the baby. When he grabbed the baby she showed her 8 armed divine form, and there we have it. Btw, Balarama was also conceived by Devaki before Krishna but Balarama was miraculously transferred to Rohini's (Vasudeva's other wife) womb for protection. So as I understand it, Yashoda never really had her own child, she bore Durga in infant form. Technically Krishna and Durga are foster siblings, unless I totally mucked it up. But that's how I remember the purana. It was a real switcheroo plot so Krishna and Balarama would be safe. I believe Balarama, like Lakshmana before him, is Adishesha. He takes birth along with Vishnu to always be at his side.

 

[Andal]

The interpretation I was taught was Hare is the female component of God (Lakshmi/ Radha/ Sita) Krishna is the All Attractive One and Rama is the Reservoir of Pleasure. Jai gave a wonderful synopsis of the historical avatara of Krishna. I'll add that Rama was the 7th incarnation and he is known for upholding dharma as well as dramatic rescue of his wife Sita from the demon king, Ravana, on the island of Lanka (Sri Lanka)

The Maha Mantra is invoking God in the forms of Goddess, Krishna, and Rama. In Sanatana Dharma the names of God hold very real power, that's why we chant them.

Aum Hari Aum!

 

[Jainarayan]

The interpretation I was taught was Hare is the female component of God (Lakshmi/ Radha/ Sita)...

The Maha Mantra is invoking God in the forms of Goddess, Krishna, and Rama. In Sanatana Dharma the names of God hold very real power, that's why we chant them.

Aum Hari Aum!

Yes, and therein lies the power, versatility and beauty of Sanskrit, lending itself to poetry and plays on words, and different interpretations in translation.

 

[QuietRain100]

Wow, wonderful synopsis of Krishna's life and explanation of the power of the chant. Thank you.

 

[Kalicharan Tuvij]

For a westerner...who does not understand, but wishes to...what exactly does

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare

mean?

Namaste
I will add here what needs to be added. The explanations given here are no doubt based on popular perceptions, although this mantra- like others in Sanskrit- produces results of its own, without any effort on the part of the chanter (sincere) at interpreting.

And living with a mantra for some time makes it reveal its true meaning. So as I have come to understanding this mantra today:

1) "Har-e" invokes the 8th Avatāra of Vishnu, who is not KrishNa (who is the 9th Avatāra, just one before the final- and future- Kalki Avatāra) but Hari-Hara, or Ayappā. The north-Indian traditions didn't retain this information.
2) The mantra, on the overall, invokes three: the 7th (Rāma), the 8th (Hari), and the 9th (KrishNa).
3) This is the SuperMind (Aurobindo's word) mantra, therefore, and relates to the ongoing and future stage of evolution- both spiritual and material.

To reiterate, the mantra gives results irrespective of its understanding on the part of bhakta.


jai Sri Rām

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

For a westerner...who does not understand, but wishes to...what exactly does

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare

mean?

there are prehaps two ways of approaching the meaning of the maha mantra (maha ; great)

firstly its relevance , where it originated from , how it was first prescribed for chanting and its purpose ,

and secondly the meaning of the individual words ,

prehaps first one might like to know its origins , ....

it is spoken in the 'Kali Santarana Upanisad'


This translation is by Swami Gaurangapada. – Sri P
The maha-mantra


Hari Om! After travelling all over the world, Shrila Narada Muni approached Lord Brahma (his own father and guru) during the time when Dvapara-yuga was about to end. He asked him, “O Lord! How will all the living entities be able to deliver themselves from the most degraded age of Kali which is about to begin”. [1]
(Note: According to Vedic teachings dvapara-yuga is the last age, while kali-yuga is the current age – Sri P)
Lord Brahma replied, “You have asked the most important and relevant question for the benefit of humanity. I will tell you now the most concealed secret of the Vedic literatures, with the help of which everyone can easily cross this most dangerous age of Kali. [2]
“Simply by chanting the transcendental names of the original enjoyer and the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Narayana, all the sins will be cleansed in Kali-yuga.” [3]
Narada Muni again asked, “Which are those specific names of the Lord which are most effective in Kali-yuga?” [4]
Lord Brahma replied, “The sixteen words – Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare – are especially meant for completely destroying all the contamination of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of Kali-yuga, there is no alternative in all the Vedas except the chanting of this sixteen-word mantra. [5-6]
(Note: Some versions of Kali Santarana Upanishad have Hare Rama appearing first, followed by Hare Krishna. This is possibly a change by followers of Rama who placed Rama’s name before Lord Krishna’s. We draw this conclusion because other scriptures such as Agni Purana, Sanat-kumara Samhita and Vayu Purana, which refer to the maha-mantra, all have the maha-mantra begining with Hare Krishna. – Sri P)
“This maha-mantra consisting of sixteen names of Krishna is the destroyer of the (16-layered) illusory covering of all the living entities. Only when the coverings are destroyed, Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in the heart of the living entities, just like the sun appears with full intensity when the clouds are removed.” [7]
Shrila Narada again inquired from Lord Brahma – “What are the procedures and rules for chanting this maha-mantra?” [8]
Lord Brahma replied, “There are no rules and regulations to chant this maha-mantra. It should be chanted always irrespective of whether one is in a pure or impure condition.” [9]
When one chants the 16 names of the maha-mantra 35 million times (sardha trikotir), he absolves himself of the sins of killing a brahmana or a kshatriya, stealing of gold or engaging in harmful activities towards one’s forefathers or other living entities. [10]
By chanting the maha-mantra, one becomes quickly purified from all sins accumulated due to rejecting all of one’s duties in our past lives. Thus the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, is the only means, the only means, the only means of thoroughly and immediately purifying oneself in Kali-yuga. Thus ends the Kali-santarana Upanishad. [11]



as many have explained above ....

Hare; ..embodies both ' Hari ' which refers to Visnu and ' Hara ' the feminine principle or shakti , so to krsna devotees it encompases Radha and to Rama bhaktas it encompases Sita . .....
Rama; ..means beloved or pleasing and is a quality of Hari , .... it is also the name given to lord parasurama the sixth incarnationof Visnu , lord Ramachandra the seventh incarnation and Balarama the brother of sri Krsna
Krsna; ..means all atractive and is the given name of lord sri krsna the eighth incarnation of visnu .

by chanting ' Hare ' one calls on the full embodiment of Visnu (Narayana) who is the remover of illusion , and the illuminator of darkness .
and by chanting the names Rama and Krsna one reflects upon the qualities and nature of the supreme .

hari om :namaste

 

[Stormcry]

Namaste, hari om.

There are many meanings according to the various people's views.But in actual it has no meaning. That mantra contains names of lord shiva and lord Krishna. 'Hare' is the name of shiva and 'krishna' is the name of bhagavan Vishnu. The Hare krishna mantra is described in hindu scripture ' kali santarna upanishad ' .

 

[QuietRain100]

ratikala,

Thank you for that brilliant breakdown of the mantra..its origin and layered meaning.

It is far to say, that chanting the mantra both fights and frees one from the illusory evils of the world..while at the same time..touching the divine.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram :namaste

ratikala,


It is far to say, that chanting the mantra both fights and frees one from the illusory evils of the world..while at the same time..touching the divine.

jai jai , very much so the divine sound cleanses the heart allowing us to realise and experience the divine , the seed of which lays within all beings .

it is good to remember that the lord is nondifferent from his name so to chant the names of the lord is to be in the lords presence

thus lord chaitanya wrote these words ......

[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Sri Siksastakam[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Text 1
ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha--davagni-nirvapanam
shreyah-kairava-chandrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam
anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamritaswadanam
sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krishna-sankirtanam[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Glory to the Sri Krishna Sankirtana, which cleanses the heart of all the dust accumulated for years and extinguishes the fire of conditional life, of repeated birth and death. This sankirtana movement is the prime benediction for humanity at large because it spreads the rays of the benediction moon. It is the life of all transcendental knowledge. It increases the ocean of transcendental bliss, and it enables us to fully taste the nectar for which we are always anxious.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 2
namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-shaktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrishi tava kripa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrisham ihajani nanuragaha[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names, but I am so unfortunate that I have no attraction for them.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 3
trinad api sunichena
taror api sahishnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of false prestige and should be ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 4
na dhanam na janam na sundarim
kavitam va jagad-isha kamaye
mama janmani janmanishvare
bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki twayi[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O almighty Lord, I have no desire to accumulate wealth, nor do I desire beautiful women, nor do I want any number of followers. I only want Your causeless devotional service birth after birth.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 5
ayi nanda-tanuja kinkaram
patitam mam vishame bhavambudhau
kripaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrisham vichintaya[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O son of Maharaja Nanda [Krishna], I am Your eternal servitor, yet somehow or other I have fallen into the ocean of birth and death. Please pick me up from this ocean of death and place me as one of the atoms at Your lotus feet.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 6
nayanam galad-ashru-dharaya
vadanam gadgada-ruddhaya gira
pulakair nichitam vapuh kada
tava nama-grahane bhavishyati[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O my Lord, when will my eyes be decorated with tears of love flowing constantly when I chant Your holy name? When will my voice choke up, and when will the hairs of my body stand on end at the recitation of Your name?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 7
yugayitam nimeshena
chakshusha pravrishayitam
shunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O Govinda! Feeling Your separation, I am considering a moment to be like twelve years or more. Tears are flowing from my eyes like torrents of rain, and I am feeling all vacant in the world in Your absence.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Text 8
ashlishya va pada-ratam pinashtu mam
adarshanan marma-hatam karotu va
yatha tatha va vidadhatu lampato
mat-prana-nathas tu sa eva naparah[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]I know no one but Krishna as my Lord, and He shall remain so even if He handles me roughly by His embrace or makes me brokenhearted by not being present before me. He is completely free to do anything and everything, for He is always my worshipful Lord unconditionally.[/FONT]


verse two explains your question perfectly , ......[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction to living beings, and thus You have hundreds and millions of names like Krishna and Govinda. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies. There are not even hard and fast rules for chanting these names. O my Lord, out of kindness You enable us to easily approach You by Your holy names,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
[/FONT]

 

[QuietRain100]

Ratikala....wow! and thank you..

 

[Jainarayan]

I hate to rain on anyone's parade, but the Mahāmantra doesn't refer to Shiva (as Hara) at all. Hara is the vocative of Haraḥ, which is the nominative. All masculine nouns that are a-stem have a visarga in the nominative singular (Krishnaḥ, Rāmaḥ, Śivaḥ, Haraḥ, Ganesha&#7717. The Mahāmantra is in the vocative, with Hare being the vocative of Harā as well as Hari. The vocative of Haraḥ is Hara; it cannot inflect in any way, at any time as Hare. Linguistically, the Mahāmantra is a strictly Vaishnava mantra, calling (invoking) the names of Hari, Krishnaḥ, Rāmaḥ and Harā/Rādhā. Andal is correct in saying "The Maha Mantra is invoking God in the forms of Goddess, Krishna, and Rama."

Sanskrit grammar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Note that the table has Rāmas, which is Vedic Sanskrit, not Classical Sanskrit (Rāma&#7717. On the talk page there is a running argument about the use of 's' or the visarga. In any case, however, the masc. sing. nom. names still inflect with 'a' (short a) for the vocative. So when all is said and done Hara for Shiva never inflects as Hare.

Hare Krishna (mantra) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia